Citizens complain against airing of Indian TV channels

KARACHI: Cable operators in many parts of Karachi are airing the programmes of Indian TV channels with no landing rights in Pakistan, complain the citizens.

It is learnt that cable operators in different parts of the city are routinely showing the programmes of Indian channels by hiding their logos. Many viewers think that the programmes aired by the Indian channels are against the social and moral values of Pakistan society and spreading vulgarity.

Shad, a teacher of Gulberg area, says in her area the cable operators are showing many Indian and English channels with objectionable content, by hiding the logos of TV channels. She said this is a violation of the court directives.

She said majority of families in her locality do not want Indian channels, which are promoting Indian culture, but some cable operators were still showing these channels. She said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) should take notice of the issue.

Khan, a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal area, said in their neighbourhood cable operators has never stopped showing the Indian programmes. He said many people dislike these programmes but they could do nothing to stop the cable operators from doing this. He said young generation is being affected by the cultural blitz of foreign channels.

However, the complainers do not lodge their formal complaints with the PEMRA complaint centre. This complaint call centre with telephone number 0800-73672 is working round the clock to facilitate public complaints against any aspect of broadcast media or cable TV networks and to take prompt necessary action to address the same.

Public can now lodge their complaints, suggestions or comments with regard to services, quality of content of the private TV channels, FM radios and cable TV networks through toll free number (0800-73672). Besides, the complaints/feedback can also be lodged through: PEMRA website: www.pemra.gov.pk/feedback and Fax No +92-51-9107147. The caller would receive a complaint ID and would be contacted back within maximum of two weeks depending upon nature of complaint.